Honda Pilot gas mileage

I’ve driven about 1,200 miles in my new Honda Pilot Elite with AWD. According to Honda, it should get 19 miles per gallon in the city, 25 on the highway, and 21 combined. But even though I mostly use Eco mode, I’m only getting 18.4 mpg overall.

I find that pretty bad, especially since my old vehicle, a 2014 RAM 1500 crew cab with a V6 engine, got close to 20 mpg combined — and that was a big, heavy truck I used to tow a boat.

Just to add, I’m not carrying a lot of weight in the Pilot either. It’s usually just my wife and me, and maybe a few shopping bags.

Is anyone else getting such low gas mileage with the 2023 Pilot? It’s a shame because otherwise, I love this car. It’s got the smoothest engine I’ve ever owned, it’s spacious and comfy, and rides really well. But with gas prices around $5 a gallon in California, the poor fuel economy is a real letdown.

6 Likes

Every car I’ve ever owned get less mileage than claimed and I’ve had like 5 new cars in the past 2 years.

Mpg depends on your driving conditions. It’s not a guarantee.

It sounds like you’re still in the habit of driving calmly, like you did on Maui, taking it easy on the pedals. So, it’s definitely not because you’re driving aggressively like others on the road.

Does that capture what you meant, or is there anything else you’d like to adjust?

It could be the quality of your gas. You’re not using flex fuel, are you?

Just give it some time—it’ll improve as you put more miles on it. The engine and transmission are still breaking in. My 2020 RDX was the same way and got better after a few thousand miles.

Would you buy a Pilot if they said it got 18.4 MPG? How about 21 MPG? If you want better gas mileage, try driving on the highway for a few hours—it’ll improve. By the way, if you’re mostly driving in the city, that mileage is accurate. If it’s mixed driving, you’re only 2.6 MPG off.

If all I cared about was mileage, I would have bought a CR-V hybrid. And yes, I mentioned in my post that this is combined mileage. I drive a lot on the freeway. Also, a difference of 2.6 MPG is significant and will add up over time.

I’m not trying to criticize the vehicle. I really love it and just want to hear what other 2023 Pilot owners are getting for gas mileage.

I’m about 800 miles into mine as well, and I’ve noticed something similar. I think the city mileage is worse than what they say, but my highway mileage isn’t too bad.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Give it time to break in. I don’t own one but every new car I’ve ever owned didn’t seem to meet the mpg until 5 to 10k. I typically get better than the combined.

I have a Jeep renegade right now and typically get 29-30mpg. Advertised at 25.

I drive relatively easy though most of the time. Set cruise 70-75 when on the interstate and take off easy in town and try to time lights so I don’t have to fully stop.